Ukraine’s first-ever martial law comes into effect

A thirty-day period of martial law has taken effect in 10 of Ukraine’s twenty-seven regions on Wednesday, with President Petro Poroshenko saying it aims to prevent an all-out Russian invasion.

The measure, which affects the regions closest to Russia’s military bases, was approved by parliament on Monday, a day after a clash between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Sea of Azov.

The Kremlin has condemned the development, saying martial law will escalate the conflict that saw Moscow seize three Ukrainian ships and capture 24 crew members off the coast of the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.

Poroshenko, who critics allege initiated martial law to postpone Ukraine’s March 31 presidential elections, said on a local TV station on Tuesday that Kiev had to resort to it to save the country.